Brevard College

Date: Aug 07 2012
Major: Art & Design Department (This Major's Salary over time)
Having attended other schools, I feel confident in using the cliche: There's good and bad in every school. Let's get the bad out of the way, shall we? Over-all maintenance at Brevard College is atrocious. To say the least, it's dirty. Among the worst things to note: The Graphic Design computer lab walls leek to the extent that the carpeted floor becomes saturated with rain. This is the case even after recent renovations. Also, paint peels off the library walls, which are spotted with water damage. Campus bathrooms are filthy and smell of mold, and the dorms sport broken glass panes and no AC. Mother would feel ashamed. (At least mine would.) As far as the cafeteria goes, I've never eaten there. But it doesn't come highly recommended, and I'm told it's expensive.

So far, Brevard College sounds terrible, doesn't it?

Thankfully, it has some redeeming qualities. Most importantly, much of the college's staff and faculty are wonderful, knowledgeable, and caring people. If you're intent on gaining a top-notched education, they'll provide it. From the library staff, to the math and science departments, you'll find outstanding people everywhere. The trend toward employing adjunct faculty has resulted in less than exemplary learning experiences, though. Ultimately, this is due to the economy and low enrollment in a few concentrations. If you know what's good for you, you'll find yourself supplementing class lecture with significant independent study. In some cases, keeping up with technology appears to be a challenge, as well. The school would do well to remedy the situation, and from what I understand, updates are underway.

Politics and pettiness can be found in any public or private enterprise. If you're of an isolationist mindset, you'll find your personal boundaries threatened. This could present additional challenges for those intent on getting away with less than exemplary behavior. (Sadly, academic concentrations are punished en mass for the infractions of the few, and punishments are harsh and of extended duration.) Overly punitive department administrators and privacy infringing behavior of RAs aside, the low student teacher ratios are more an asset than liability, if achieving a worthwhile education is your ultimate goal. If you're immature or less than ideally educated, there's a place for you here, as well. It's a mixed population of scholars/athletes and athletes/academic underachievers employing various methods geared toward attaining a very expensive degree. Ultimately, you determine the company you keep, as well as, the quality of that degree. Personally, I like it here. There's truly never a dull moment.